HYDRAULIC WHEELCHAIR FOR BEDRIDDEN PATIENT

Abstract

Being bedridden is a form of immobility, manifested as being unable to move or even sitting upright. It is different from bed rest, which is a non-invasive treatment that is usually part of rehabilitation or restricted mobility. Early dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis are just few diseases that may make our loved ones bedridden. With these concerns, wheelchairs are still the best form of mobility for many bedridden peoples. However, wheelchair for bedridden people are always sell at very high price, usually around RM1900 to RM2300. Apart from that, they're also not innovative enough. We decide to design, and build cheaper, yet feature rich wheelchair for bedridden. We make sure this product is useful, safe to use, ergonomic, and cheaper that the current one in the market. A new concept of having hydraulic system to adjust the height of the wheelchair is to address the issue of ergonomic current design. This has significant potential benefits for the lives of bedridden people. Based on the official website of Department of Health of Malaysia, the number of elderly will be double from 7% to 14 % within 28 years in our country as opposed to Sweden who has been for 112 years with the same change (United Nations, 2007). Senior citizens defined as individual who aged 60 and above (United Nations, 1982). The senior citizens issues are discussed through a variety of ways, especially through health aspects. Health problems of the elderly will occur when if the need for healthy life cannot be met or achieved. Bedridden elderly patients not only suffer physical changes, but even changed from the social, economic and emotional. For family members, they also felt the challenge in terms of patient care and management of these bedridden patients. At Hospital Kuala Lumpur, the number of bedridden elderly patient cases that has been refereed Medical Social Work Department is 83 ca son 2014. The number has been increased 19% compared on 2013. The factor that affect the elderly bedridden cases are stroke, cancer, fall incident and ageing. The medical field related to disease of the elderly is Geriatric.